Quick Picks: Now and Forever Reader’s staff sets you up for summer

Coordinated and edited by Hal Calbom

This year, to celebrate Summer Reading, more than a dozen denizens of the Reader (writers, proofies, distribution team) answered two queries: What’s the best book you’ve read lately? and What’s your favorite (and most recommended) book of all time?

We gave our esteemed book reviewer, Alan Rose, a pass on this feature, ceding the “summer reading” territory to his enthusiastic and passionate “amateur” colleagues, astute critics and voracious readers, all.

Here’s a fast-paced summary of their recommendations. Enjoy your summer reading!

-- Hal Calbom

Hal Calbom is CRR’s People+Place writer/producer, co-founder of CRRPress, and author of Empire of Trees: America’s Planned City and the Last Frontier.

Merrilee Bauman

Proofreader, Distributor

NOW: Where the Crawdads

Sing by Delia Owens

The story of a girl, Kya, living in a shack on the North Carolina coast. She is abandoned by her parents, but manages to live and learn, supported by the plants and wildlife around her. This is Kya’s life story, with a mystery woven through, which takes an unexpected turn by the end of the book. One of my current favorites.

FOREVER: The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

This novel stirs a desire in me to cook wholesome, delicious meals (although I still don’t have a daily soup warming on the back burner), and a yearning to plant, trim, and pick beautiful bouquets from my large, well-tended garden (which is still in the planning stage). The story is of an English family in WWII, chronicling daughter Penelope’s life through interesting, memorable, charming, and sometimes tragic circumstances.

Sue Lane-Koontz Advertising Maven

NOW: The President and the Freedom Fighter by Brian Kilmeade. Two men go from total disagreement to friendship, and in the process change the course of history. This should be in all libraries, both homes and educational institutions. It’s an incredibly compelling story.

FOREVER: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Following the lives of the March sisters from childhood to adulthood, Alcott was far ahead of her time in the presentation of her message. This is a classic that will live forever.

Debra Tweedy

Proofreader, Editor, Quips & Quotes

NOW: A World of Curiosities by Louise

Penny

I always look forward to a new Chief Inspector Gamache book, and my favorite recent read is #18 in the series. The books are set in rural Quebec, in the fictional village of Three Pines. “It’s spring and Three Pines is reemerging after a harsh winter. But not everything buried should come alive again. Not everything lying dormant should reemerge. But something has....” Who can resist?

FOREVER: Wordstruck by Robert

McNeil

This book is an all-time favorite for me, and I recommend it for those, who, like the author, are “crazy about the sound of words, the look of words, the taste of words, the feeling for words on the tongue and in the mind.” When his friend Jim Lehrer read the manuscript, he said, “You should call it ‘Wordstruck’ because that is what you were.”

And so am I. Like him, I had a mother who read to me, and it has made all the difference.

NOW: Desert Star by Michael Connelly Connelly brings together two of his popular serial characters, Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch, in a newly created Cold Case Department. This fast-paced book takes both detectives back to unsolved murder cases each had to abandon in the past. The fact that Ballard is Bosch’s superior creates some interesting conflicts. Catching the bad guys keeps them both on track. Highly recommended.

FOREVER: Booked to Die by John Dunning

Cliff Janeway is a Denver cop who knows as much about rare books as he does about homicide. When bookscout Bobby Westfall is murdered, Janeway is on the case in more ways than one. I have read this book five times. Love it.

Joseph Govednik

Columnist, “Museum Magic”

NOW: 1776 by David McCullough

With the upcoming semi-quincentennial of America around the corner, I am reading David McCullough’s 1776, published in 2005. This book draws the reader in with fascinating narratives, stories and quotes from famous and less-known participants in the American Revolution. Through several twists of fate, victors and vanquished could have changed places.

FOREVER: Earth

Abides by George R. Stewart

One of my all-time favorite books. This post-apocalyptic novel takes place in the hills of Berkeley, California, not far from where I grew up. It follows a band of survivors of a disease that wipes out most of humanity and tells how the newlyformed civilization adapts between the remnants of technology fading away and the reality of transitioning into a hunter and gathering society.

Michael Perry Author, Proofreader, Distributor

NOW: Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer’s Guide to the Universe by Philip Plait

This book is a tour of the cosmos, drawing on both the latest scientific research and the author’s imagination to transport the reader to10 of the most spectacular sights outer space has to offer… ranging from our Moon, nearby planets, asteroids and comets, to the star factories and black holes. The next-best thing to traveling through space and time.

FOREVER: In Full View by Rex Ziak I received this book for Christmas, 2002, and was impressed by how Rex used his knowledge of the mouth of the Columbia to bring the words in the Lewis & Clark’s journals to life… he put feeling into the 1805 journal entries and revised the narrative of the most difficult last 30 days of their journey.

Robert Michael Pyle

Poet

and Author

Karla Dudley

Contributing Writer

Tracy Beard Columnist, “Out and About”

Marc Roland Columnist, “Roland on Wine”

NOW: Flickering by Pattianne

Rogers

I know of no other contemporary poet who more adeptly and beautifully integrates poetry and the science of the natural world — and that includes Mary Oliver. In Making Love with the Gods she writes “What a delirium of green blossoms / to be filled with the wind-razzle / energy of his summer straining / stems and stalks!” Even, or especially, if you don’t read poetry, perturb yourself with these poems, and you will.

FOREVER: Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald

This is the book that won the Booker Prize, but most of her novels have been nominated for it. Among my favorites are The Bookshop and Gate of Angels. I only wish there were more of them. Penelope Fitzgerald said more in fewer words than any other novelist I know.

Alice Slusher

Columnist, “Northwest Gardening”

NOW: The Science of Gardening by Stuart Farrimond

I’m listening to this audiobook as I work in my garden. It may sound like a textbook, but it’s not — the author is down-to-earth and answers questions we all have, such as: How do vining plants climb (I found this one fascinating)? How can I keep container plants happy? Is there a sustainable way to maintain a great lawn without fertilizer, and why should you care? Why is using peat moss a no-no? If you are a curious gardener, this one’s for you.

FOREVER: The Stand by Stephen King

It’s a classic dystopian tale of good vs. evil with deliciously diabolical villains and some unlikely heroes and heroines woven together with a bit of magic. Impossible to put down.

NOW: The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

I became fascinated with this alien creature often called “the monster of the deep.” In this book we meet four octopuses (octopi is incorrect), Athena, Octavia, Kali, and Karma. Can we humans relate to a creature with no bones, the ability to change shape and color instantly, with hundreds of suckers able to taste and feel independently? What are the limits of our consciousness?

FOREVER: Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander

Sometimes I love to read a simple story that doesn’t expect me to search for deeper meanings or to improve my mind, a story that simply solves the crime in the end and leaves me content. A new series for me is the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon, one of my favorite towns. The characters are delightful, perfect with a glass of wine, a soft blanket, and a new chance to visit familiar people and places.

Tiffany Dickinson Contributor, Proofreader, Author NOW: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This is a perfect summertime book. This multigenerational story includes light romance, devastating heartbreak, humor, and a diverse cast of characters. And I mean diverse: How many contemporary adult fiction novels feature a sentient octopus as one of the four points-of-view.?

FOREVER: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Though written for younger readers, this book inspires and amuses adults, too. It’s a classic romp of friendship, community, heroics, ridiculousness, and love. Reading it as a child, I was entertained. Reading it as an adult, I was deeply touched and inspired. This is a book full of heart, humor, and hubris — all with a hog as the star.

NOW: Promise Me by Harlan Coben

Coben provides fabulous character development, interesting story lines, and incredible, unanticipated twists. Most times I can figure out mysteries within the second third of a book, but Harlan fooled me with this one. I didn't suspect the villain until the very end.

FOREVER: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert I love this book because of the fabulous descriptions Elizabeth gives of the three escape destinations: Rome, India, and Bali. Rome was all about food and friends, India was about spiritual renewal, and Bali provided a space for the writer to rediscover herself. During my travels, I often connect with places in those same three ways.

Eileen Bergeson, Distributor

NOW: Rebel Souls by Justin Martin

The Bohemian movement was a popular social culture in the mid1800s, including Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, John Wilkes Booth’s brother Edwin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, as well as other famous artists of the time that I had never heard of, but who had a lasting impact on our culture of today. Similar to our counterculture of the 1960s and 70s.

FOREVER: The Seven Mysteries of Life by Guy

Murchie

This book shows the interconnectedness of all life supported by research in all the sciences, leading to a spiritual perspective. I read it long ago, but I am still reminded of it when I think about how sand dunes move, or the idea that the earth is alive, or the fact that I am no more than 50th cousin to any other human being on earth.

NOW: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

A very influential teacher felt that this book could give me some hope and direction.

Siddhartha realizes that experience is the only teacher that matters, and that love is the answer to life. I didn’t find nirvana, but I did gain a deep understanding of the importance of seeking truth.

FOREVER: The Earned Life by Marshall

Goldsmith

Self-improvement books are mostly written by very successful people who want to make more money by telling you how they did it. This book is different. Like Siddhartha, it also draws elements from Buddhism, learning to ground your success in a higher purpose. I can be me and learn from it; I don’t have to be some super-motivated, life-on-turbo person to live a good life.

Paula Stepankowsky, Contributor

NOW: Dinner with Joseph Johnson by Daisy Hay

Reading this book is like attending a brilliant dinner party with all the people from late 18th-century Britain whom you would like to meet in heaven. Publisher Joseph Johnson gathered luminaries from the scientific, literary, artistic, political and theological worlds around his table weekly. Hay brilliantly recreates this moment so readers feel they, too, are there in the room.

FOREVER: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

So many people read or teach this masterpiece as a romantic comedy. While it does have romance and comedy, it is, in fact, biting social satire. The reader must enter Austen’s mind to strip away both the romance and the comedy to arrive at the true meaning of this novel: Nothing is ever what it seems to be on the surface. If readers /students can arrive at this conclusion, they have learned critical thinking.

Clatskanie, Ore.

Fultano’s Pizza

770 E. Columbia River Hwy

Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

Dine-in,Take-out and Home Delivery. Visit Fultanos.com for streamlined menu.

503-728-2922

COLUMBIA RIVER dining

Eclipse Coffee & Tea

In the Merk (1339 Commerce Ave., #113)

360-998-2139. Mon-Fri 8am–4pm. Specialty coffees, teas, bubble teas and pastries....drinks with a smile. Takeout and on-site.

Freddy’s Just for the Halibut

1110 Commerce Ave.

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

640 E. Columbia River Hwy

Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Dine-in, curbside pickup. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344

Rainier. Ore.

102 East “A” Street

Microbrews, wines & spirits

7am–8pm Daily. Inside dining.

Interstate Tavern

119 E. “B” St., (Hwy 30)

Crab Louie/Crab cocktails, crab-stuffed avocados. 17 hot and cold sandwiches. Amazing crab sandwiches. Full bar service. Catering for groups. 503-556-5023. interstatetavern@yahoo.com 503-556-5023

El Tapatio

117 W. ‘A’ Street Mexican Family Restaurant. Open Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, rest of week 11am-10pm. Full bar. Karaoke Fri-Sat 8-11pm. Patio seating. 503556-8323.

Longview, Wash.

1335 14th Avenue

18 rotating craft brews, pub fare. M-Th 11am–8pm. Fri-Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm. Local music coming soon. 360-232-8283. Inside dining

See ad, page 34. Follow us on Untappd.

Bruno’s Pizza 1108 Washington Way. Pizza, breadsticks, wings, salads, fish & chips. WE DELIVER. Four beers on tap. 360-636-4970 or 360-425-5220,

The Carriage

Restaurant & Lounge

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge

1334 12th Ave. Open 8am–9pm (sometimes later, call to check). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar, banquet room available for groups, special events. Happy hours daily 9–11am, 5–7pm. 360-425-8545.

The Corner Cafe

796 Commerce Ave.

Breakfast & Lunch. Daily Soup & Sandwich, breakfast specials. Tues-Sat 7am3pm. Closed Sun-Mon. 360-353-5420. Email: sndcoffeeshop@comcast.net

Cod, Alaskan halibut fish and chips, awardwinning clam chowder. Burgers, steaks, pasta. Beer and wine. M-Sat 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–8pm. Inside dining, Drive-thru, outdoor seating. 360-414-3288.

See ad, page 6.